Recorder having web-drying and display means

ABSTRACT

This invention has to do with a recorder having means for receiving and displaying the web which carries the visual information and stretching the web tightly as it moves while, at the same time, drying it to reduce moisture without wrinkling and shrinking to a constant width dimension.

United States Patent Inventor Milton Alden Needham, Mass.

App]. No. 793,129

Filed Jan. 22, 1969 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Assignee Alden Research Foundation Brockton, Mass.

RECORDER HAVING WEB-DRYING AND DISPLAY MEANS 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

US. (11 346/ 17, 346/74 E, 346/136, 219/216, 226/172 Int. Cl .L G01d 15/06 Field of Search 346/17, 76,

74 E, 74 SC,21, 136, 25; 226/172; 219/216, 388, 501; 178/11 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1945 Artzt 346/25 10/1951 Finch 346/74 1/1963 Robinson 34/152 X 6/1965 Hojo et al..... 219/388 12/1965 Shaler et a1. 2l9/388X 9/1945 Blain 346/136 11/1948 Young... 346/74 2/1951 Alden.... 346/74 8/1959 Pirot 226/172 X Primary Examiner-Joseph W. Hartary Attorney-Norman S. Blodgett ABSTRACT: This invention has to do with a recorder having means for receiving and displaying the web which carries the visual information and stretching the web tightly as it moves while, at the same time, drying it to reduce moisture without wrinkling and shrinking to a constant width dimension.

PATENIED 0m 5 IHYI SHEET 1 [IF 3 INVENTOR MILTON ALDEN BY 1 v 4 n..-

A ORNIiY PATENTEU mm 5197! SHEET 2 BF 3 RECORDER HAVING WEB-DRYING AND DISPLAY MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the art of communicating visual information, it is common practice to apply this information in the form of an electrosignal to electrodes which scan an electrosensitive web. In most cases, this web is treated with an electrolytic chemical which turns dark with the passage of electrical current. In the past, as the web left the space between the electrodes, it was allowed to curve freely over the top of the recorder and to dry in the air. This has resulted in the web being wrinkled and unsightly. In many instances, where accuracy of the visual infor' mation is necessary, the consequent warping and stretching of the web has produced distortion of the visual image. Furthermore, it has been difficult for persons using the recorder to see the image immediately and to take any action necessary as a result of the information contained in the image. For instance, if one attempts to use the recorded graphic information with an overlay such as a map or grid printed on a clear plastic sheet, a change in dimension of the web results in gross inaccuracies which inhibit the use of the infonnation. The same type of problem arises where the map or grid is applied to the web itself, either by printing or by the application of a standard signal to the electrode. A typical example of the way in which web dimensional changes can be a problem is in the case of the recording of weather information applied to a map; if a map overlay is used, dimensional changes in the web can make the wrong information appear to exist at a certain location on the map. Attempts in the past to dry the web have involved direct'contact plates which, because of their high heatstorage capacity, could not be rapidly rendered operative or inoperative; the net effect has been that the heating element continues to operate even after the web has stopped, thus resulting in scorching of the web or even starting a fire. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present inventron.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a recorder having a means for displaying the web carrying the visual image immediately after production.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a recorder having means for stretching the recording web into a flat condition and drying it in that condition.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a recorder having means for displaying the web while drying it in a flat condition.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a recorder having means for preventing physical distortion of the web on which the visual image has been fonned.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a recorder having a display and drying area in which the geometry of the web remains constant despite changes in humidity in the recording room.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a recorder having a drying means for the web wherein the web receives no heat when the machine is shut off so that there is no danger of scorching the web.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recorder of graphic information on a paper web, wherein the paper is used with a high moisture content, but complete drying takes place soon after recording.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a graphic recorder using a wet web and having a drying means that has no heat-storage capacity.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered, by'the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a recorder having a base with means for receiving an electrical signal carrying communications infon'nation and converting it to a visual image on an endless web, having a housing mounted on the base and having an inclined surface over which the web passes, and having infrared drying means associated with the housing located so that radiation impinges on the web as it passes over the surface. More specifically, conveying means is provided at each side of the surface to grasp the opposite edges of the web and draw it tightly over the surface for observation. The surface is part of a plate having a slot extending transversely of the direction of web movement and the infrared radiation means resides behind the plate to radiate heat through the slot onto the web.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural fonns, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a recorder embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the recorder in operative condition,

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the same portion in inoperative condition,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the recorder taken on the line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic of control apparatus forming part of the invention,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a reel, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of part of the reel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the recorder, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as having a base 11 containing a receiver 12 which is capable of receiving and amplifying an electrical signal. This signal may carry communications information for forming a weather chart, for instance. At the upper part of the base is provided instrumentation including electrodes of the well-known type for converting the electrical signal into a visual image 13 on an endless web 14. The web is impregnated with an electrolyte which acts to form an opaque configuration when electrical current is passed through it from one electrode to the other in the recording section 15. Mounted on top of the recording section is a housing I6 having an inclined surface over which the web passes.

Conveying means 17 and 18 are mounted on the housing on either side to grasp the opposite edges of the web 14 and draw it tightly over the surface for observation of the image 13. V

At the top of the housing 16 is an automatic reel 36 which is driven to roll up the web 14. Extending across the apparatus between the recording section 15 and the housing I6 is a cutter 37.

FIG. 2 shows the recorder in operative position with the web 14 passing through the housing 16 and it can be seen that the conveying means 17 and 18 are held in place by locking knobs 19 and 2-1.

In FIG. 3, however, the conveying means 17 and 18 have been swung sideways about hinges 22 and 23 thus exposing endless belts 24 and 25, respectively. At the same time, with the web 14 removed, it can be seen that the housing 16 is provided with a plate 26 having an outwardly facing surface 27 across which the web is drawn.

The plate 26 is provided with a slot 28 which extends transversely of the direction of web movement, and across this slot extend supporting wires 29. Behind the slot lies an infrared element 31 which is suitably provided with electrical current in the well-known manner only when the recording section 15 is operating. Extending over the surface 27 of the plate 26 on either side of the slot 28 are endless belts 32 and 33. In this view. it can be seen that they are further apart at the top of the plate 26 than they are at the bottom by a slight amount.

In FIG. 4 it can be seen that the endless belts 24 and 32 lie in the same plane perpendicular to the surface 27 with adjacent runs engaging one another to grasp the paper. Behind the infrared element 31 lies a reflector 34 which directs the rays up through the slot 28 onto the web 14. A motor 35 is mounted in the housing 16 to drive the endless belt 32 which, in turn, drives the belt 24.

The reel 36 is suitably connected to the motor 35 for rotation such that its peripheral speed is approximately the same as that of the endless belt 24 and 32.

The operation of the invention will now be readily understood in view of the above description. When the receiver 12 is operative, a communications signal is received and placed on the electrodes of the recording section 15. This recording section is similar in nature to that shown in the patent td Alden U.S. Pat. No. 2,621,999 which was issued Dec. l6, 1952. The signal impressed upon the electrodes produces an opaque visual marking on the web 14 and the web is fed upwardly through the recorder as the electrodes scan its surface. The web is impregnated with an electrolytic recording chemical similar to that shown and described in the patent of lves U.S. Pat. No. 3,354,058 which was issued Nov. 21, 1967. Now, in the average room in which the recording takes place, it is very difficult to adjust the humidity. For that reason, the humidity varies and this means that, as the web leaves the recording section, it may dry at a faster or slower rate depending on the dryness of the air, as well as many other factors, such as the flow of air past the equipment, etc. Furthermore, as is often true, the recording may take place sporadically as signals are received to start and stop the recording session. The net result is that the web is stretched and wrinkled to a generally disreputable appearance. Furthermore, it is impossible to see the image on the web without holding the web up and observing it at arms length. With the present equipment, however, the web 14 leaves the recording section and passes over the surface 27 of the plate 26. It is grasped at the edges by the conveying means 17 and 18. More specifically, the lefthand edge of the web is grasped by the endless belts 24 and 32, while the right-hand edge of the web is grasped by the endless belts 33 and 25. The surface 27 is slightly curved from front to back and this combined with the slightly divergent character of the belts to produce a tentering action which stretches the web 14 and holds it tight against the surface. In this way, the image can be readily observed, particularly when the angle of incline is selected properly. At the same time that the recording equipment is operated, electrical power is provided to the infrared element 31 and it radiates infrared radiation outwardly through the slot 28. This radiation impinges on the web 14 and produces the heat in the molecules of liquid with which the web is impregnated. The heat very quickly drives the liquid from the web so that it is dried to a predetermined set amount, irrespective of the degree of humidity in the room. This means that the geometry of the paper and of the image 13 on the surface of the paper remains constant irrespective of room humidity or of stopping and starting of the recorder. The stopping of the recording section immediately shuts off elec trical power to the element 31 and, being an infrared element, the rays cease to be radiated and they are no longer available to heat the paper. In other words, there is not time required for the element to cool off, since, by its very nature, it stops radiating drying rays as soon as electrical power leaves it. It has no inherent heat of its own.

When the web 14 reaches the top of the housing 16, it is rolled up on the reel 36. If the web is severed by the cutter 37, the free end emerging from the recording section is carried up to the reel 36 by the endless belts of the conveying means 17 and I8. The free end passes over the reel where it is grasped by sharp spikes and is wrapped around the reel.

In FIG. 5, it can be seen that the movement of the switch 38 from one position to the other causes a change in energized coil 39 or 40 of the recorder motor 41, as well as the motor 35. At the same time, it energized a corresponding infrared lamp 31 or 31'. The lamp 31 is not only closer to the surface 27, but has a greater wattage, so that its rying capacity is greater than the lamp 31'. Switching to slow-speed operation of the recorder and the belts 24 and 32 also switches to a smaller drying-capacity lamp. The above-described equipment is connected across power lines 42 and 43 in the usual way.

FIG. 6 shows the manner in which the reel 36 is mounted on a bracket 44 which, in turn, is fastened to the upper end of the housing 16, so that the surface 27 is approximately tangential to the reel. The reel is rotatably mounted on a spring-loaded shaft 45 at one end and a driven shaft 46 at the other end. Suitable serrated collars 47 and 48 are associated with the reel 36 and the driven shaft 48, respectively, to provide for a positive driving action.

As is shown in FIG. 7, the reel 36 is provided with two telescoping tubular parts 49 and 50. The inner part 50 is provided with sharp flexible spikes 51 which normally extend through apertures 52 in the outer part 49.

The two parts are held together by means of a bayonet lock consisting of a slot 53 formed on the part 49 and a bolt 54 formed on the part 50. Rotation of the inner part 50 will retract the spikes through the apertures 52 and render them ineffective and safe. Then, axial withdrawal of the inner part will permit removal of the accumulated roll of web.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing departing from the material spirit thereof. lt is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A recorder, comprising a. a base including means for receiving an electrical signal carrying communications infonnation and converting it to a visual image on an elongated web,

b. a housing mounted on the base and having an inclined plate having a surface over which the web passes and having a slot extending through it transversely of the direction of web movement,

c. conveying means to grasp the web and draw it tightly over the surface for observation, and

d. infrared radiation means residing behind the plate to radiate heat through the slot onto the web.

2. A recorder as recited in claim 1, wherein the conveying means includes a driven endless belt located at each side of a plane of the surface, operating in a plane at right angle to the surface, and having a run extending along the plane of the plate to grasp the opposite edges of the web.

3. A recorder as recited in claim 1, wherein a door is hingedly mounted on the base and each having a driven endless belt each operating in the same plane as one of the other endless belts and having an inner run which engages the run of the other belt.

4. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the belts are made of an elastomer substance to provide a firm, resilient grasping of the edges of the web.

5. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the planes of the two sets of belts lie at a slight angle to one another.

6. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein each door is provided with a lock to hold it in operative position overlying the plate, the door being movable. when the lock is released. to an inoperative position not overlying the plate.

7. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the doors extend over only the side portions of the web, so that the center portion is exposed to view. 

1. A recorder, comprising a. a base including means for receiving an electrical signal carrying communications information and converting it to a visual image on an elongated web, b. a housing mounted on the base and having an inclined plate having a surface over which the web passes and having a slot extending through it transversely of the direction of web movement, c. conveying means to grasp the web and draw it tightly over the surface for observation, and d. infrared radiation means residing behind the plate to radiate heat through the slot onto the web.
 2. A recorder as recited in claim 1, wherein the conveying means includes a driven endless belt located at each side of a plane of the surface, operating in a plane at right angle to the surface, and having a run extending along the plane of the plate to grasp the opposite edges of the web.
 3. A recorder as recited in claim 1, wherein a door is hingedly mounted on the base and each having a drIven endless belt each operating in the same plane as one of the other endless belts and having an inner run which engages the run of the other belt.
 4. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the belts are made of an elastomer substance to provide a firm, resilient grasping of the edges of the web.
 5. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the planes of the two sets of belts lie at a slight angle to one another.
 6. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein each door is provided with a lock to hold it in operative position overlying the plate, the door being movable, when the lock is released, to an inoperative position not overlying the plate.
 7. A recorder as recited in claim 3, wherein the doors extend over only the side portions of the web, so that the center portion is exposed to view. 